Jackson’s role uncertain with Bucks

MILWAUKEE — After spending most of last week sitting on the bench, Stephen Jackson isn’t sure where he stands with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jackson played just over nine minutes total in the five games going into Tuesday night. He sat out one game because of an NBA suspension for verbally abusing an official, and Bucks coach Scott Skiles benched him for three others.

He did play 30 minutes in Tuesday night’s 107-105 loss to Phoenix, although he came off the bench to score 12 points.

Jackson says he’ll stay ready to play whenever his name is called.

“I’m supporting my teammates the way that I’ve always been,” Jackson said. “I’m going to respect the coaches, I’m going to respect everybody around. But at the end of the day, everybody knows I want to play.”

Jackson wouldn’t say if he had requested a trade.

The Bucks signed the veteran as a free agent in the offseason, hoping he could provide some offense. Jackson was a regular starter for the Bucks until he missed a team shootaround in New York last month and was benched for one game.

Assistant Jim Boylan said coaches will consider putting Jackson back in the regular rotation.

“Nothing lasts forever, especially in this league,” Boylan said.

Boylan said Jackson has remained upbeat.

“Steve’s been great … his attitude’s been positive,” Boylan said.

Jackson has played for seven different teams in 12 seasons, including two — 2001-02 and 2002-03 — with the Spurs. San Antonio won the second of its four NBA titles in 2002-03.

But to some fans, Jackson is best known for his role in the infamous Pacers-Pistons brawl in 2004, resulting in a 30-game suspension. Jackson brushed off a question about his relationship with the Bucks’ coaches.

“I’ll be ready to play when they call me,” he said. “… None of that’s important. My job’s to play basketball. My job’s not to be here to be friends with anybody.”

Before last Wednesday’s victory over Miami, Skiles said he’d had a “good conversation” with Jackson. Going into the Miami game, Jackson was suspended for a game against the Lakers and was benched for a game against Detroit.

“Look, I don’t want anybody, especially somebody like ‘Jack,’ to be happy about not playing in a game,” Skiles said on Feb. 1. “I have too much respect for him. … But Jack’s going to be a professional about it, and he’s going to keep working hard, and when he gets his chance, he’ll get into the game and help us.”